Petunia plant named ‘Kleph17318’

ABSTRACT

A new  Petunia  plant particularly distinguished by medium brilliant red-purple flowers and a semi-trailing habit, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Petunia hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘KLEPH17318’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Petunia,botanically known as Petunia hybrida, and hereinafter referred to by thevariety name ‘KLEPH17318’. ‘KLEPH17318’ originated from across-pollination conducted in July 2012 in Latina, Italy between thefemale Petunia variety, WHISPERS ‘Star Rose’, also known as ‘PEHY0004’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,432) and the male Petunia variety POTUNIA‘Pinkalicious’ (patent status unknown).

The seeds from the cross were sown and plants were grown in a greenhousefor evaluation, where an individual plant designated ‘KLEPH17318’ wasselected from the group of plants in April 2013 in Latina, Italy. In May2013, ‘KLEPH17318’ was first vegetatively propagated by terminal tipcuttings in Latina, Italy. ‘KLEPH17318’ was found to reproduce true totype in successive generations of asexual propagation via tissue cultureand terminal tip cuttings.

SUMMARY

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new variety when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Stuttgart, Germany and Latina, Italy.

-   -   1. Medium, brilliant red-purple flowers; and    -   2. A semi-trailing habit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Petunia plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs ofa plant grown outdoors in Miami, Fla. The photographs were taken inMarch 2017 of an 18-week-old plant. The colors shown are as true as canbe reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

FIG. 1 shows the foliage and flowers.

FIG. 2 shows an up close view of a flower.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘KLEPH17318’. The data which define thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inLatina, Italy. Data was collected on plants 17-weeks old (about 10 weeksof cultivation in a plactic greenhouse and about 7 weeks outside)Latina, Italy in September 2018. Color references are to The R.H.S.Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.),5^(th) edition (2007).

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Solanaceae.        -   Botanical.—Petunia hybrida.        -   Common.—Petunia.        -   Designation.—‘KLEPH17318’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—The female Petunia variety, WHISPERS ‘Star            Rose’, also known as ‘PEHY0004’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.            23,432).        -   Male parent.—The male Petunia variety POTUNIA ‘Pinkaliciuos’            (patent status unknown).-   Plant:    -   -   Vigor.—Medium-compact.        -   Habit.—Semi-trailing.        -   Height (from top of soil).—18.0 cm.        -   Width (horizontal plant diameter).—40.0 cm.        -   Propagation.—Terminal tip cuttings and tissue culture.        -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—About 13 weeks            in winter under short day conditions; 7 weeks in spring.        -   Time to initiate and develop roots.—12 days.        -   Root description.—Strong, white roots.-   Stems:    -   -   Average number (basal).—4.        -   Length of basal branches (from the base of the stem to the            tip).—20.0 cm.        -   Internode length.—1.5 cm.        -   Diameter of branches (from midpoint).—0.3 cm.        -   Stem color.—RHS 138A.        -   Anthocyanin.—Absent.        -   Texture.—Pubescent.-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, slightly alternate only at the bottom            of the stem.        -   Length.—3.5 cm.        -   Width.—1.7 cm to 2.4 cm.        -   Shape.—Elliptic.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Attenuate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Immature leaf color.—Upper surface: RHS 137B. Lower surface:            RHS 138B.        -   Mature leaf color.—Upper surface: RHS 137A. Lower surface:            RHS 138B.        -   Texture (both upper and lower surfaces).—Pubescent.        -   Venation pattern.—Arcuate.        -   Venation color.—Upper surface: Same as color of leaf blade.            Lower surface: Same as color of leaf blade.        -   Petioles.—Length: 0.7 cm. Diameter: 0.2 cm. Color: RHS 143C.            Texture: Pubescent.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Shape.—Irregular oblong.        -   Length.—3.8 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.4 cm.        -   Color at tight bud.—Base color is RHS 144D with veins            colored RHS 144B and a margin of RHS 79D.        -   Texture.—Pubescent.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Blooming habit (flowering season).—Continuously flowering            during spring and summer.        -   Inflorescence type.—Sympodial, with monochasial growth.        -   Number of flowers per node.—1.        -   Lastingness of individual blooms on the plant.—7 to 10 days.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Flowers.—Arrangement: Composed of 5 petals fused at the            base. Diameter (flower face): 5.8 cm. Depth (total length of            flower): 5.5 cm. Throat/Funnel: Length: 3.0 cm. Diameter (at            opening): 1.0 cm. Texture: Inner surface: Smooth. Outer            surface: Pubescent. Color: Inner surface: RHS 157B with            veins of RHS 138A. Outer surface: RHS 157A with veins of RHS            143B. Petals: Color of petals, mature flower (fully opened):            Upper surface: RHS N66A along mid-vein, moving towards RHS            67B at the margin. Lower surface: RHS N74D with veins of RHS            144A. Color of petals, immature flower: Upper surface:            Between RHS N66A and RHS 67A (darker than RHS N66A but more            brilliant than RHS 67A). Lower surface: RHS N66C with veins            RHS 143A. Apex: Mucronate. Base: Fused. Shape: Funnelform.            Margin: Entire. Strength of waviness: Very weak. Degree of            lobation: Weak. Calyx arrangement: Actinomorphic, composed            of 5 sepals. Sepals: Color: Upper surface: RHS N137B. Lower            surface: RHS 138A. Length: 1.3 cm to 1.5 cm. Width: 0.3 cm.            Shape: Oblong. Apex: Broadly acute. Base: Fused. Margin:            Entire. Texture (both upper and lower surfaces): Pubescent.        -   Pedicels.—Color: RHS 143C. Length: 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm.            Diameter: 0.1 cm. Texture: Pubescent.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Quantity: 5. Shape: Needle with elliptic head.            Filament: Length: 1.7 cm to 2.0 cm. Diameter: 0.02 cm.            Color: RHS N155C.        -   Anther.—Shape: Elliptic. Color: RHS 159D. Length: 0.15 cm.            Diameter: 0.1 cm. Pollen: Color: RHS 156B. Amount: Moderate.        -   Pistils.—Quantity per flower: 1. Length: 2.3 cm. Stigma            color: RHS 143A. Style color: RHS 145B.-   Fruit and seed set: No fruit and seed set observed.-   Disease and pest/insect resistance: No disease and pest/insect    resistance observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND KNOWN VARIETY

‘KLEPH17318’ is a distinct variety of Petunia and is distinguished fromits parents as described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Comparison with Parental Lines Female Parent Male ParentWHISPERS POTUNIA Characteristic ‘KLEPH17318’ ‘Star Rose’ ‘Pinkalicious’Flower size Medium to small Small Medium-big Color pattern Brilliantred-purple Higher contrast Pink magenta color, darker along of the staralong with veined eye the mid-vein the mid-vein

The female parent WHISPERS ‘Star Rose’ is the most similar commercialvariety, however ‘KLEPH17318’ may also be compared to commercial petuniavariety ‘Famous Pink Vein’ (unpatented). Differences between‘KLEPH17318’ and ‘Famous Pink Vein’ are described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Comparison with Similar Variety Characteristic ‘KLEPH17318’Petunia Famous Pink Vein Flower color Brilliant red-purple color, Pinkpetals with dark pink darker along the mid-vein veins around flower eye

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Petunia plant designated‘KLEPH17318’ as illustrated and described herein.